In short, the technology transfer course is designed to give you an idea of:

How to find out if patents exist around your new findings and what to do to protect your invention;
What steps are necessary to commercialize your work;
The VIB-approach to starting innovative companies, and
Different ways of turning your research into value for society.

In the annual Technology Transfer course, the VIB Innovation & Business Team, supported by external speakers from industry, will go into detail on the practicalities of real life valorization approaches. We will discuss the basics of Intellectual Property Rights, including a hands-on patent search on the topics for the pitch exercise. We will go through the term sheets and contracts that shape the framework of industrial collaborations and investments. We will have a lively case study to highlight the potentially complex relationships between scientist, Innovation & Businessmanager and company representative, and give an overview of the various stages of starting a new venture.

If you want to participate, you will be asked to submit a short abstract on a potential business idea prior to the start of the course, for selection of topics for the Newco pitching exercise (in groups). More information will follow via email when we receive your registration. Please note that who submits an abstract will get priority to attend the course. Submitting your abstract will be possible on the website in the course of June, after you received more information on the requirements for your abstract via email.